When a Veteran starts considering whether or not to file a VA Disability Claim, there are a lot of questions that he or she tends to ask. Over the last 10 years, the following are the 14 most common basic questions I am asked about ...Continue Reading

You’ve just been rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs. After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. One of the first questions that you might ask is this: It’s a legitimate question – rare is the Veteran that finds themselves sitting on the couch eating bon-bons …Continue reading

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I recommend basing your appeal off the "reasons and bases" in your RO decision. You need to demonstrate why these "reasons and bases" for your decision are not valid. For example, if they denied SC because there was nothing in your record about the disease, you can either demonstrate, that sleep apnea was not invented in 1964, so that it is hardly suprising that your record does not show you were treated for it, or show that you were treated for OSA, as you complainted about your snoring and cite the medical exam.

If you can show their "reasons and bases" for denying you is faulty, then you are half way there.

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Location:Beautiful hills of NY andwidow of 2 vets, 2 HD each and mother of USAF vet-my daughter, 7 years Top Secret Intel

Interests:tactical warfare student- AMU
gardening
fishing
Oriental home design
organic cleaning tips
Capt Adoph Von Shell-interested in any info at all!
German Commander (WWI)lectured to the US Army after the war on warfare-- PTSD - tactics etc-and Leadership
The Pullers-Chesty and Lewis (USMC)
chocolate brownies
anything at all regarding Vietnam
the failure of the Maginot Line (WWII)
Trench warfare
anything amphibious

when I had my dro hearing, last year, they never asked for documents, they just said if we had any more to add send them in asap... they basically wanted testimony, of course you can take short stacks, with items highlighted, but it is not the place that wanted any boxes of records.... but it's always good to have everything with you just in case,,,

since my vso was with me, she at least had the experience of how and when to submit and talk about issues... I baiscally used it as a chance t tell my story. It is very apparent that they cannot get the story out of just medical records, they appear to want and need you tell tell them your life story in less than 40 minutes. 20 minutes of the 1 hour alloted was them reading and telling me stuff, and asking me questions,,, of which I answered, and told my story from the time I entered the service until the latest medical issues... covering 25 years... I made it a point to let them know that every injury I suffered was from my duty, was from my job under orders... and was from the negligence of the commmanders who made me work under conditions that caused injury and illness of which my medical records back up 100%.

while my wife also did a short testimony, she backed up my case because we have been married and lived together 30 years.

still waiting for the decisions from the decemember 8, 2010 hearing.

Edited August 25, 2011 by retiredat44

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My VSO suggested that I bring any new Doc's withe just to speed up process. In her letter "If the VA needs more Doc's it will delay the process by months". They actually have most of the doc's but need to step back look at the big picture to connect the dots. I do not know if I will win or not but I want my time on the soapbox and look someone eye to eye to explain my case. If I win great if not I win end the battle believing I turned over every rock and left knowing on the table.

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Military Service Records - Military personnel records can include DD 214s/Separation Documents, service personnel records found within the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), and medical Records. Military personnel records can be used for proving military service or as a valuable tool in genealogical research.

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So I've been in a basic power chair (Q6 Edge) since 2015. Late 2016 was also fitted for a TiLite TRA manual (also keeping powerchair). 2017 was approved by Tampa VA for clothing allowance for lower.

Moved to Battle Creek VA late 2017. Since then was issued new basic powerchair (Quickie P222-SE) to replace broken Q6. Still use TiLite also now can lightly ambulate with Forearm crutches.

Use crutches 50%, and both chairs 25% each.

Was approved for 1 clothing allowance this year for forearms crutches for upper.

Was denied 2nd for chair/lower that was awarded last year because Chief Prosthetic states "powerchair takes precedence, you were issued that so you are to use only the powerchair".

Also powerchair has gap between seat and leg mounts where clothes do get caught and tear. Clinician was I'll put it back in but"power chairs dont get clothing allowances", and "any review or appeal will only come back to me"

I was approved for powerchair/custom manual combo clothing allowance last year; How do I word an appeal for the lower clothing allowance this year?

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I understand what you are saying. Does it sometimes take awhile to update the VA letters and disabilities info online after it closes.....in my case on a Saturday ? Some on other posts on here says no and some say yes so I'm just curious about the inconsistency regarding that if it is yes and no.

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I understand what you are saying. Does it sometimes take awhile to update the VA letters and disabilities info online after it closes.....in my case on a Saturday ? Some on other posts on here says no and some say yes so I'm just curious about the inconsistency regarding that if it is yes and no.